CHRISTMAS Eve is an extra special day for Settle Parish Church this year.

For as well as being one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar, in 1998 it also marks the end of a two year programme of works to create new rooms and refurbish the 160-year-old Holy Ascension Church.

Congregations at the Christmas Eve services will be the first to see the transformed church in all its glory - completely redecorated with new carpets and restored pews and woodwork, plus new meeting rooms, bellringing room, toilets and kitchen.

The appeal for the reordering project was launched in 1994 when the church decided that it needed rooms for the children's work, for youth work and a place to welcome visitors and for the community to meet. A kitchen and toilets were also necessary.

A close look at the church soon revealed that the small balcony could be removed and that there was plenty of room to incorporate the new facilities within the building itself at the West end.

"It was one of those projects that just grew. We decided we wanted to do it well and the whole thing just grew. Originally it was going to cost around £55,000 but we decided to go for the best and it has cost about £120,000," said the vicar, the Rev Stewart Ridley.

"It has been a real act of worship. We have borrowed £14,000 from the Diocese, we have received grants of £17,000 and parishioners' loans come to £6,500. The rest has been raised by coffee mornings, bazaars, sponsored slims, rides, walks and other amazing things that people have done.

"Lots of work in kind has been done by the parishioners from cleaning to carpentry. All the pews have been restored to their original state by parishioners. They have rallied around in a real act of faith," added Mr Ridley.

The physical work on the church began two years ago and soon after that the congregation decamped down Church Street to St John's Methodist Church Hall for six weeks while the initial building work was carried out.

In recent weeks, the congregation has worshipped in St John's hall once again while workmen put the finishing touches to Holy Ascension.

The architect for the project was Jim Thorp, who has won awards for his schemes. The main contractor came from Guiseley, but, where possible, the church has employed local tradesmen.

Mr Ridley said: "The thing we have kept in mind is that it is actually for outreach. It has been done to service the community.

"It will also provide a place for visitors so we can welcome them and tell them something about the church and make them feel at home."

Settle was historically part of the ancient parish of Giggleswick, but in 1838 Settle's own parish church was opened, built at a cost of around £3,000 - a figure which was more than covered by subscriptions from local people, notably the Swale, Dawson, Wilkinson, Tennant, Clapham and Peart families. It was the first new Anglican church to be consecrated in Craven for three centuries.

The first vicar was the Rev Hogarth John Swale who later served as a chaplain in Paris.

Over the years more donations and bequests paid for the stained glass windows, many of which are rare examples of the work of the Pugin Studio. One window has also been authenticated as a William Morris. Ornate and intricate wrought iron work and marbling were also added later.

"For what appears to be a very plain church, if you take your time and look around it, it has some gems in it," said Mr Ridley.

Services at Holy Ascension today (Christmas Eve) are the family carol service at 6pm and the midnight eucharist at 11.30pm. The Christmas Day service is at 10am.

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